Normally sealed atomizer



N 195i E. LIPMAN NORMALLY SEALED ATOMIZER Filed April 27, 1950 ldrllllldviii/#lfllllflll/ WQIH YJE Nav l 7 INVENTOR. ELMER LIP/WAN.

ATTOR HEY Patented Nov. 20, 1951 UNITED. STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,575,632NORMALLY SEALED ATOMIZER Elmer Lipman, Detroit, Mich. I ApplicationApril 27, 1950, serial No. 158,527

4 Claims. (Cl. 299-88) The present invention pertains to a novelatomizer designed particularly for cosmetic use but also suitable formedicinal purposes.

T1 le conventional cosmetic atomizer is normally open to atmospherethrough both the liquid passage and the venting passage. Consequentlythere is a constant evaporation of the liquid, especially the alcohol orother volatile solvents employed. The resulting concentration,particularly of a perfume or toilet water, produces a solution that isfoul smelling and also injurious to fabrics. This condition is not onlydisagreeable to the ultimate user of the atomizer but is alsodetrimental to sales in stores where an atomizer containing a sampleprefume or toilet water is kept on the counter.

' Further, because of its constantly being open to the atmosphere, theconventional atomizer leaks when tilted and therefore is unsuited fortraveling.

The principal object of this invention is to overcome these difiicultiesand is accomplished generally by providing an atomizer that is normallysealed both at the liquid passage and at the Venting passage. Thesepassages are opened for use by pressing the head of the atomizer againsta spring incorporated in the assembly. More particularly, the head isattached to a ported valve member cotrolling both of the named passagesbut normally obstructed against packings or other sealing means by theexpanded spring. Manual pressure on the head, as described, opens thesepassages to permit operation of the device.

Another advantage of the invention in this connection is that the novelatomizer cannot be used, without authorization, by children, employees,guests and strangers, since there is no outward indication that the headmust first be pressed I against the action of a concealed spring.

The invention is fully disclosed by way of example in the followingdescription and in the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a plan view of the atomizer;

Figure 2 is a side view;

'Figure 3 is a section on the line 33 of Figure 1; showing the device inoperating or discharge position; 1

Figure 4 is a similar section showing the atomizer normally sealed.

Reference to these views will now be made by use of like characterswhich are employed to designate corresponding parts throughout.

In Figure 1 is shown an atomizer applied to a bottle I by means of anadapter 2 which is a portion of the mechanical assembly of the atomizer.

The adapter is a tubular member having at its lower end a reduced nipple3 that is fitted suitably on the neck 4 of the bottle.

In the adapter is mounted a slide or plunger 5 of considerably smallerdiameter than the interior of the adapter and having its lower endformedwith a flange or shoulder 5 which re mains'spaced from the inner wall ofthe adapter to permit flow of liquid as will presently be described. Atube 1 extends integrally upward from the top of the slide and has itsupper end threaded at 8 for attachment of an operating member asdescribed hereinafter. I

A packing ring 9, preferably with'an upper conical surface II], isfitted around the member 5 at the flange 6. The adapter alsocontains'the lower end of a core H formed'with an 'interme diate collarI2 which rests on the upper end of the adapter." The core is shaped as ahood hav ing a top I3 which slidably encloses the tube 1 below thethreaded end. Beneath this top is fitting another packing I4 which restson an in-' ternal shoulder l5 formed in the core il in a' position to benormally engaged by the top of the body of the plunger 5.

A head [6 is screwed on the upper end of the tube 1 and is formed with askirt l! in the nature of a cap surrounding the collar [2 at a clear-'ance of about .01 inch. A coil spring I8 rests upon the collar [2 andbears against the bottom of the head [6 to bring the body of the plunger5 against the packing I4 and also to bring the top IE or the packing 9against the conical lower end IQ of the core ii. The head I6 is formedas a mixing chamber 20 into one end of which is fitted an aircompressing bulb 21 in the usual manner. The other end of the chamber isclosed except for a small port 22 which constitutes the spray outlet.

The slide or plunger 5 is in fact a valve govern; ing the flow of liquidout of the bottle and the flow of venting air into the bottle. A centralcavity 23 is formed in the plunger from the lower end thereof andreceives a tube 24 which is ex tended nearly to the bottom of thereceptacle l directly or bymeans of a wick 25. From this cavity extendsa port 26 tothe top of the plunger.

. 3 29 extends through the lower edge or wall of the core H to a pointabove the packing 9.

Normally; the expanded spring l8 lifts the head l6 and attached plunger5 until the packing 9 engages and closes the lower end of the vent port29. At the same time the tube I is lifted until its support 27 isobstructed within the packing 14, thereby closing the chamber 20 andoutlet port 22 fromthe interior of the receptacle 1.

In this condition, which is the normal idle cendition of the atomizer,there can be no evaporation through the liquid channel or through theventing channel. In this connection, as previously stated, it is wellknown that the concentration of a perfume through evaporation of thealcohol causes it to become foul smelling and also injurious to theclothing. This difliculty is "of course overcome by the normally sealedatomizer disclosed herein. Again, the atomizer is iess sub ject to wasteof theconte'nts through unauthorized tampering by camara erie guest's;Another and important advantage of this device is that it can be carriedin luggage without any special precaution against leakage. Y 7

When the atomizer is to be used, the head I6 is pressed down with thethumb of one hand to lctver thje plunger 5 while compressing the spring|8. The ports 2"! and 'Z'Sare thus uncovered on beingireed from therespective packings l4 and 9. The'bulb; I is then operated by thedther'hand in 'the usual manner. v Y

The suction created in the chamber 2!] permits liquid from thereceptacleto flow upward through the tube 2 4, chamber 23, port 25, tnesac'e'new existing between the top of the plunger and the tlie'bottomo'f'the packing 24, the port '21, tube 1, andichamb'er 20 to be sprayedthrough the out"- let 22. Venting occurs thrbug'h the clearance betweenthe skirt l1 and collar I2, the groove 2 8, port 29, the spacebetween'tlie lower end of the core 11 and the taper the packing 9, thespace between the flange 6 and the iii'ner'wall of the adapter 2, andthence thrbugh the nipple 3 to the interior or the receptacle.

The manner of operating "the'atoirii'zer i's not apparent from itsoutward appearance. Consequently, tamperers willbe unsuccessful in"their first attempts to use the atomizer and will make no furtherattempt in the great majority of cases.

Although a specific embodiment of the invention'hasbeen illustrated anddescribed, it will be understood that any alterations in the details ofconstruction 'may be made without departing from the scope of theinvention as indicated by the following claims.

What Iclaim is:

'1. atomizer comprising an adapter for'conne'ction to a receptacle, acore fitted in said adapter, aslide fitted in said adapter and core, ahead mounted on said slide and having a chamber and an "outlet port,said slide having an interrupted fluid passage from its-lower end to"said chamber, with an intermediate *exposed port, packing in said core,and a spring between said core and head normally drawing said "portagainstsaid packing, whereby said passage is opened only on actuatingsaid slide against the pressureef said 4 spring, said core having aventing passage, and a packing on said slide positioned to close saidventing passage on expansion of said spring.

2. An atomizer comprising an adapter for connection to a receptacle, acore fitted in said adapter, a slide fitted in said adapter and core,said slide having a fluid passage from its lower to its upper end, atube extending upward from said slide and having a lateral port at theupper end of said slide, a head mounted on said tube and having achamber and an outlet port, a packing in said core over said upper end,and a spring between said core and head and normally drawing saidlateral port against said packing, whereby said passage is opened onlyon actuating said slideagairist the pressure of said spring, said corehaving a venting passage, and a packing on said slide positioned toclose said venting passage on expansion of said spring.

3. An atomizer comprising an adapter for conmotion to a receptacle, acore fitted in said adapter, a slide fitted in said adapter 'andcore,said slide having a fluid passage from its lower to its upper end, atube extending "upward from said slide and having a lateral port at theupper end of said slide, a head mounted on said tube and having achamber and an outlet-port, a'p'acb ing in said core over-said upperend, and a spring between said coreand head and'n'o'rmally drawing saidlateral port against said packing, whereby said passage is opened only'o n actuating said slide against the pressure of said spring,"sai'dcore having a peripheral groove open to atmosphere and a venting'passageextendingfrom said groove, and a packing on said-slidepositioned to close said venting passage on expansion of said spring.

4. An atomizer comprising an adapter for con nection to a receptacle, acore fitted in said adapter, a slide fitted said adapter and core, saidslide having a fluid passage from its lower to its upper end, a tubeextending "upward-from said slide and havin'g'a lateral port attheupperend of said slide, a head 'r'rioun'te'd'on said tulieand having acl'i'ainl'ser and an outlet port, a packing in Said core over said"upper end, and a spring between sa'idcore and head and normally drawings'a'id lateral port against Said packing, where?- by said passage isoper'feddnl'y on actuating said slide against the pressure er saidspiiiilig, a Skirt depending from said head and enclosing said spring,said skirt also enclosing said core with clearance, 's'ai'd core havinga peripheral groove within said skirt open -to atmosphere and a ventingpassage extending irom said groove, and a packing (in said slidepositioned to close said venting passage in expansion of said spring.

ELMER LIP-MAN.

REFERENCES CITED Thefollowing references are'of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS

